Making a 5mm Bullet Charge Lead

[WickedFog]

I was getting ready to solder up a couple 5mm bullet leads for charging my batteries, so I figured I'd share.

These Meus caps looked like they might give me a better grip on the wires, so I thought I'd try them.

Notice there isn't a lot of room here for solder. And definitely don't get any on the outside lip.

First up is tinning the wires. This is 12awg silicone wire.

Then tin the bullets.

I put way too much solder here, but I removed it with some wick cable, and that wasn't enough. I ultimately had to break out my rotary tool and grind some away. Lesson learned. Getting ready to add the balance lead to it. Make sure you get your heat shrink on here if using any. It helps protect the balance lead though, so I'd say it's best to use it here.

Finally, after some frustration, being my first time using these caps, I got the balance lead soldered into the joint and after the grinder work, I got the cap on there.

After getting the positive cable done (much easier this time), it was time for the 2mm bullet lead. I wrapped a rubber band around the handles of my pliers, in case you're wondering how I'm holding this stuff. This worked great

2mm bullet soldered on and heat shrink applied.

Time for the XT60'S. Same as before, tin your wires and connector. These XT60 connectors use a cap over the back, so make sure you slide that on the wire first, then your heat shrink in front of it if using it. I like to use it on 12awg because the wire by itself is a little loose going through the rear cover.

Wire attached.

Slide the heat shrink up and shrink it on, then slide the cover up and lock it on there. Cable complete.

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

That was a great demonstration!

There is a great little spring loaded suction tool for removing excess solder. I got mine in college but I've seen them in stores. Cheap and effective.

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

https://www.harborfreight.com/desol...lj0QJsjxo2QTEpEm5PLCPdKJLfh7CMqgaAr3sEALw_wcB

 

[DavidB1126]

You think is should redo these? Although they are stiff and have a good connection I think I'm good.

I also have the same kind of bullets but the ones I have are the 1up racing low pro ones with the caps and I couldn't figure out how to put them on. And then by seeing this I realized I have to put them on before I solder them up? No bueno for me. Bc that would be tough for me to do, but I could try. I just wanted them bc I don't have to pull on the wire, and they look nice.

 

[WickedFog]

https://www.harborfreight.com/desol...lj0QJsjxo2QTEpEm5PLCPdKJLfh7CMqgaAr3sEALw_wcB

Thanks for the link. And I hope it helps someone make their own. I saw those vacuum things a long time ago, but forgot all about them. My wick wire got most of the excess out, but the problem was I twisted the 12 gauge tight. I should have twisted it then flattened it first. That's what I did after the first one, and it went a lot smoother. I still had to take the drum wheel to it a tad, because I had a couple little bumps, but it wasn't bad.

You think is should redo these? Although they are stiff and have a good connection I think I'm good.

I also have the same kind of bullets but the ones I have are the 1up racing low pro ones with the caps and I couldn't figure out how to put them on. And then by seeing this I realized I have to put them on before I solder them up? No bueno for me. Bc that would be tough for me to do, but I could try. I just wanted them bc I don't have to pull on the wire, and they look nice.

View attachment 227276

Those look like decent joints. You just need a little more solder on there.

Get your soldering iron tinned real good with a nice blob of solder on it, and apply it right to the top. As soon as it flows, remove your soldering iron. That should get a nice covering on there.

And no, you solder your wires on, slide the cap on, then put the set screw in.

 

[Tunedfrog]

I was getting ready to solder up a couple 5mm bullet leads for charging my batteries, so I figured I'd share.
View attachment 227255

These Meus caps looked like they might give me a better grip on the wires, so I thought I'd try them.
View attachment 227256

Notice there isn't a lot of room here for solder. And definitely don't get any on the outside lip.
View attachment 227266

First up is tinning the wires. This is 12awg silicone wire.
View attachment 227265

Then tin the bullets.
View attachment 227258

I put way too much solder here, but I removed it with some wick cable, and that wasn't enough. I ultimately had to break out my rotary tool and grind some away. Lesson learned. Getting ready to add the balance lead to it. Make sure you get your heat shrink on here if using any. It helps protect the balance lead though, so I'd say it's best to use it here.
View attachment 227267

Finally, after some frustration, being my first time using these caps, I got the balance lead soldered into the joint and after the grinder work, I got the cap on there.
View attachment 227259

After getting the positive cable done (much easier this time), it was time for the 2mm bullet lead. I wrapped a rubber band around the handles of my pliers, in case you're wondering how I'm holding this stuff. This worked great
View attachment 227260

2mm bullet soldered on and heat shrink applied.
View attachment 227261

Time for the XT60'S. Same as before, tin your wires and connector. These XT60 connectors use a cap over the back, so make sure you slide that on the wire first, then your heat shrink in front of it if using it. I like to use it on 12awg because the wire by itself is a little loose going through the rear cover.
View attachment 227262

Wire attached.
View attachment 227263

Slide the heat shrink up and shrink it on, then slide the cover up and lock it on there. Cable complete.
View attachment 227264

Very cool connectors.

 

[DavidB1126]

And no, you solder your wires on, slide the cap on, then put the set screw in.

Ohhh ok

 

[xjtorc]

Posts like this are why forums will forever be better than social media. This is awesome.

 

[WickedFog]

Took me a couple sessions at the bench, but the second set went a lot smoother.

The real trick - getting everything soldered together so the connectors are all orientated just as they will be going in the components. It makes a pretty noticeable difference when plugging this mess in.

 

[DavidB1126]

I'll just hire you for my next jobs lol

Great work @WickedFog !

I could have made my own but wanted to get fancy braided ones from I think they're from LRP.

 

[WickedFog]

I'll just hire you for my next jobs lol

Great work @WickedFog !

I could have made my own but wanted to get fancy braided ones from I think they're from LRP.

Thank you David. Yeah, I have seen the braided ones. I thought about just getting some of those, but I often have more fun making my own. After the initial problems, the rest went pretty smooth.

I still had to hit a spot here and there with the drum sander, but just to knock down bumps in the solder joint. I can never seem to get the iron tip pulled away without leaving a blob.

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

Twist the iron clockwise into the joint as you pull the tip away. Works for me anyway.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Took me a couple sessions at the bench, but the second set went a lot smoother.

The real trick - getting everything soldered together so the connectors are all orientated just as they will be going in the components. It makes a pretty noticeable difference when plugging this mess in.
View attachment 227310

They look very nice! All the equal wire length and the rest of the set up efforts paid off!
These cables are for your Hota?

 

[WickedFog]

They look very nice! All the equal wire length and the rest of the set up efforts paid off!
These cables are for your Hota?

Thanks! Yeah. I just got my first batteries with internal 5mm bullet connectors with that Tekin stuff from you guys, so I needed these to charge them.

 

[WickedFog]

Twist the iron clockwise into the joint as you pull the tip away. Works for me anyway.

Thanks! I will definitely give that a go. That sounds like it should do the trick. I'm learning

 

[CertifiedMike]

Thanks! Yeah. I just got my first batteries with internal 5mm bullet connectors with that Tekin stuff from you guys, so I needed these to charge them.

Charged batteries are always good!
Thats pretty slick that you make up your own cables for the job!

 

[WickedFog]

Charged batteries are always good!
Thats pretty slick that you make up your own cables for the job!

I have tons of cables I've made up for the Hota. This is an old pic. I've made a few more since this was taken. I modeled up a 3d print to mount to the edge of my Kennedy box to hang them.

 

[CertifiedMike]

I have tons of cables I've made up for the Hota. This is an old pic. I've made a few more since this was taken. I modeled up a 3d print to mount to the edge of my Kennedy box to hang them.
View attachment 227313

View attachment 227314

So I need to buy a Hota and 7 miles of wire and a case of connectors... got it!
I saw @Greywolf74 's monster collection of charge cables but I figured it was for all the testing etc. That pile is CRAZY!
I have deans, ec5 and xt60's. I guess I will be doing the same thing as you! Better bookmark this!!!

 

[WickedFog]

The long ones are for powering things with the Hota's built-in power supply. One has alligator clips, and the other has a female XT60 on both ends which powers my servo testor, suction fan, etc.

You can see the XT60 plug on the right of this.

 

[Tunedfrog]

Awesome work kev.